Liverpool's Champions League winners, where are they now?

After a dramatic Champions League draw last night threw up some intriguing encounters, it is time to cast our minds back to a real classic from the competition and find out what the players in question are up to now.

3-0 down at half-time to Italian giants AC Milan in the final of the Champions League in Istanbul, Liverpool looked to be going out without so much as a whimper after goals from Paolo Maldini and a Hernan Crespo double.

Then came one of the most astonishing halves of football ever witnessed as the Reds clawed their way back into the game, driven on by inspirational captain Steven Gerrard and securing the trophy when Andriy Shevchenko's spot-kick in the penalty shootout was saved. Cue pandemonium.

The squad was no doubt one of the most heroic in recent memory, but where are Liverpool's 2005 vintage selection now?

Goalkeeper - Jerzy Dudek

A man of the match contender in the final just for his extraordinary extra time save and wobbly-legged penalty heroics, Jerzy Dudek had a fantastic six season spell with the Merseyside club before leaving for Real Madrid.

One of the most underrated goalkeepers in the Premier League during his time there, Dudek retired in 2011 after four years with the Spaniards before being part of the delegation for Poland and Ukraine's joint hosting of Euro 2012.

Right Back - Steve Finnan

An extremely competent full-back with fantastic crossing abilities, Steve Finnan is also famous for being the answer to the quiz question: "Who is the only player to have played in the World Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup, Intertoto Cup, all four levels of the English league football and the Football Conference?"

A career that started with the modesty of Welling United in 1993 and finished at Portsmouth in 2010 was superbly capped by this one night in Istanbul. Finnan's finest period as a player was at Anfield and he made a total of 217 appearances for the club.

Centre Back - Jamie Carragher

Mr. Liverpool himself, Jamie Carragher became synonymous with the club during a 17-year career with the Merseyside club before retiring at the conclusion of the 2012/13 season to take up a broadcasting position as a pundit for Sky Sports.

An uncompromising and intelligent, if not pacy defender in his pomp, Carragher has played across Liverpool's entire back line during his tenure with the club. At the time of his retirement he was also the club's second longest serving player, behind Elisha Scott.

Centre Back - Sami Hyypia

The giant Finn was considered a legend at Anfield, and after ten years, 460 appearances and ten trophies with the club, it's hard to argue.

Captain of the club until the emergence of Steven Gerrard, Hyypia spent ten years at Liverpool before a tearful goodbye in 2009 when he left to join Bayer Leverkusen, whom he currently manages after having spent two successful years there as a player.

Left Back - Djimi Traore

Traore is arguably more famous for his hilarious pirouette own-goal against Burnley in a 2005 FA Cup tie than his part in Liverpool's Champions League win.

He also started the final shakily, conceding the free-kick that led to Paolo Maldini's early opener, before improving in the second-half as Liverpool came back from the dead.

Currently plying his trade in the MLS with Seattle Sounders, Traore recently scored an astonishing 35-yard volley that crashed in off the underside of the bar. Honest.

Defensive Midfield - Xabi Alonso

The man who completed the comeback with a scrambled effort despite missing the initial penalty, Alonso was the unsung metronome at the base of Liverpool's midfield.

Alonso arrived at Anfield in 2004 from Real Sociedad and throughout his five seasons at the club became a hugely important member of the team, prompting Real Madrid to shell out £30million for his services in 2009.

Currently out injured with a broken metatarsal, Alonso is still hugely important in the Real Madrid side and has bagged three trophies during his time with the club.

Centre Midfield - Steven Gerrard

From the moment his last-minute half volley crashed into the back of the net against Olympiakos in the group stages to send Liverpool through, Steven Gerrard has had an aura about him that few others can match.

The Reds' influential skipper dragged them through this Champions League campaign and was instrumental in their final revival, scoring Liverpool's first goal and winning the penalty for the third.

Gerrard is still with the club and has racked up 633 appearances to date. By the time he retires, this local lad will be arguably the greatest ever player for the club.

Right Midfield - Luis Garcia

Signed from Barcelona in 2004, Garcia became an important member of manager Rafael Benitez's squad in his three years with the club, before he departed for Atletico Madrid as Fernando Torres arrived.

Garcia was also known for scoring the controversial semi-final winner against Chelsea, which was deemed to have crossed the line despite the fury of the Chelsea players.

The Spaniard currently plies his trade in Mexico with Club Universidad Nacional and is still going strong at the age of 35.

Left Midfield - John Arne Riise

Despite being a natural left-sided defender, Norway's most capped player of all time started this match on the wing, and was the only Liverpool player to miss a penalty in the victorious shootout.

Known for his blistering shot, Riise's most famous Liverpool moment was perhaps his rocket free-kick against Manchester United in one of his first matches at the club.

After leaving English football for a three-year spell with Roma, Riise returned to play for Fulham, where he is still an important member of Martin Jol's team.

Attacking Midfield - Harry Kewell

Despite being part of this victorious squad, Harry Kewell's time at Liverpool never really hit the heights envisaged after a transfer from Leeds in 2003.

Kewell spent five years with Liverpool but was mostly restricted to sporadic appearances as he took up a peripheral role with the club, before leaving to join Galatasaray in 2008.

The Australian returned to his native country three years later and currently plays for Melbourne Heart in the A-League.

Striker - Milan Baros

Czech Republic international Baros was a prolific scorer at international level, scoring 41 goals in 93 appearances for his country. This failed to translate fully to his Liverpool career however, as he only spent three years with the club before joining Aston Villa in 2005.

Despite this, Baros played an important role in Liverpool's run to the Champions League final, starting as the lone striker in the majority of matches before allegedly dropping the trophy and denting it during the club's celebrations.

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DISCLAIMER

This article has been written by a member of the GiveMeSport Writing Academy and does not represent the views of
GiveMeSport.com or SportsNewMedia. The views and opinions expressed are solely that of the author credited at the top of this article.
GiveMeSport.com and SportsNewMedia do not take any responsibility for the content of its contributors.

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